Winter Storm Fern and frigid temperatures have left many of us in a deep freeze with a number of issues: The conditions on primary roads are tenuous, many secondary roads are still not clear, and it is so cold that de-icers are barely having an impact on walkways.
As a result, a State of Emergency remains in effect and Governor Morrisey has told the public: “Please stay off the roads. Only go out if you have to.” Therefore, all campuses of Fairmont State University will operate remotely for the remainder of this week. We anticipate a return to regular operations on Monday, February 2.
We would like to take a moment to recognize and thank everybody in the Facilities Department who have battled terrible conditions this week in an effort to keep campus safe and accessible. Please say "thank you" next time you see them on campus.
Operational updates follow:
Some personnel necessary to the operation of the University, including those who work in the Physical Plant, Dining Services, the Falcon Center, and Public Safety, are considered essential employees and are expected to report to work. If it is unsafe to do so, please consult your supervisor.
The Weather Committee continues monitoring the impact of Winter Storm Fern on and off campus. If additional updates are necessary, they will be communicated in a timely manner through our emergency alert system, email, social media, and the University website.
Note that due to this weather system, we anticipate the top deck of the parking garage will remain closed for the coming days. (This location accounts for a significant portion of winter slip, trip, and fall injuries on campus. To support the integrity of the structure, salt or other ice melting agents cannot be used. Structural deterioration from de-icers can lead to major repairs costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.) The University will alert motorists via large yellow signs posted at the traffic circle, near Turley Center, and at the top of the hill.
The Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation is working with Info Systems Support Services to implement a smooth rollout to Blackboard Ultra. Resources and information will be updated as the rollout progresses. If you have any questions or concerns about the rollout process, please reach out to the CTLI at ctli@fairmontstate.edu for assistance.
Group 1: Blackboard Ultra Ambassadors trained. Summer Pilot Blackboard Ultra Ambassadors identified. Courses created for Summer 2024 Pilot.
Summer Pilot of Blackboard Ultra courses used by trained Blackboard Ultra Ambassadors. Feedback provided for Blackboard Ultra template.
All Blackboard Ultra Ambassadors teach using Blackboard Ultra. Group 2: Fall 2024 online full-time and adjunct instructors trained during first 7 weeks. Group 3: Full-time and adjunct instructors trained during second 7 weeks.
Groups 2 and 3 teach in Blackboard Ultra. Group 4 full-time and adjunct instructors trained during first 7 weeks.
Group 4 teaches in Blackboard Ultra for first time. All full-time and adjunct faculty teach in Blackboard Ultra.
Although the CTLI is the primary source for Blackboard Ultra training of faculty, the CTLI has trained Blackboard Ultra Ambassadors who will be assisting with Blackboard Ultra training across campus. The table below includes the Blackboard Ultra Ambassadors who are prepared to help you teach in Blackboard Ultra:
| Blackboard Ultra Ambassador | College or Department | |
|---|---|---|
| Aimee Richards | College of Liberal Arts | Aimee.Richards@fairmontstate.edu |
| Billy Stone | College of Business and Aviation | Billy.Stone@fairmontstate.edu |
| Christy Haney | College of Liberal Arts | Christy.Haney@fairmontstate.edu |
| Denice Kirchoff | College of Nursing | Denice.Kirchoff@fairmontstate.edu |
| Elizabeth Wotring-Nelson | Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation and College of Liberal Arts | EWotringNelson@fairmontstate.edu |
| Eric Pulice | College of Business and Aviation | Eric.Pulice@fairmontstate.edu |
| Glenna Pirner | College of Science and Technology | Glenna.Pirner@fairmontstate.edu |
| Janie Leary | College of Liberal Arts | Janie.Leary@fairmontstate.edu |
| Jim Matthews | College of Liberal Arts | JMatthews1@fairmontstate.edu |
| Joshua Smallridge | College of Liberal Arts | JSmallridge@fairmontstate.edu |
| Karen Beal | Library | Karen.Beal@fairmontstate.edu |
| Laura Guglani | College of Liberal Arts | Laura.Guglani@fairmontstate.edu |
| Lisa Eades | College of Nursing | Malisa.Eades@fairmontstate.edu |
| Malinda Blevins | Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation | Malinda.Blevins@fairmontstate.edu |
| Maria Agee | College of Education, Health & Human Performance | Maria.Agee@fairmontstate.edu |
| Valerie Morphew | Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation and College of Education, Health & Human Performance | Valerie.Morphew@fairmontstate.edu |
| Victoria Maher | Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation | Victoria.Maher@fairmontstate.edu |
| Shana Bock | Info Systems Support Services | Shana.Bock@fairmontstate.edu |
The Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation has developed a plan for the Blackboard Ultra rollout in consultation with stakeholders from across the Fairmont State University campus. Blackboard Ultra Ambassadors were trained by Anthology in Spring 2024 and some of the ambassadors, as early adopters, will teach their courses using Blackboard Ultra as a pilot in the Summer 2024 semester.
The Blackboard Ultra Ambassadors are in Group 1 of implementation. Group 2 will consist of all faculty, including full-time and adjuncts, who teach online in Fall 2024. Groups 3 and 4 will consist of remaining faculty. Complete rollout is scheduled for Fall 2025.
All faculty, with the exception of Blackboard Ambassadors (Group 1), will be assigned a group. Group 2 will be trained in Fall 2024 (1st 7 weeks), Group 3 will be trained in Fall 2024 (2nd 7 weeks), and Group 4 will be trained in Spring 2025 (1st 7 weeks).
You will begin teaching in Blackboard Ultra the semester after you are trained.
The CTLI will notify you before the semester in which you will be trained.
You may move to a group earlier than what you would normally be scheduled, but you may not move to a later group. For example, if you are in Group 3, you can move to Group 2, but you can't move to Group 4. If you would like to move groups, please contact ctli@fairmontstate.edu for assistance.
You will have a variety of opportunities for training. All faculty will complete an asynchronous Blackboard Ultra course developed by CTLI instructional designers. In addition to this Blackboard Ultra course, you will have access to weekly Blackboard Ultra training sessions, sponsored by the CTLI. In addition, if you need individual assistance, you can reach out to the CTLI staff.
Yes. The CTLI instructional designers are developing a Blackboard Ultra introductory asynchronous course that students will use to become familiar with Blackboard Ultra. More information regarding this course is forthcoming.
According to the Faculty Handbook, all faculty, including full-time and adjunct faculty, should at a minimum have the following in Blackboard:
For this reason, all faculty, including full-time and adjunct faculty, need to be trained in Blackboard Ultra.
Yes, all faculty, including full-time and adjunct faculty, should have at a minimum the following in Blackboard according to the Faculty Handbook:
For this reason, all faculty, including full-time and adjunct faculty, need to be trained in Blackboard Ultra.
Yes, you still need to be trained in Blackboard Ultra at Fairmont State University so that you are aware of Blackboard Ultra requirements specific to Fairmont State University.
You will not need to recreate your courses. You will be able to select items from past courses and place them in your Blackboard Ultra courses. During training you will learn how to do this.
Full rollout will be completed by Fall 2025. All faculty, including full-time and adjunct faculty, will be teaching in Blackboard Ultra in Fall 2025.
Please contact the CTLI at ctli@fairmontstate.edu for assistance. One of the CTLI staff will reach back to you and answer your questions.
